Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the countries with which Ireland has established export markets in respect of beef, lamb, pigmeat or poultry products; the extent of the growth of such markets in recent times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17627/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, the focus of the Irish beef industry has been to broaden and expand its market reach at EU retail level, shifting its orientation away from international commodity markets and into the higher priced internal EU marketplace. Effective promotion and marketing of beef by Bord Bia and the industry has ensured a presence for top quality Irish beef in all the key European markets. This includes supply arrangements with multiples and the main retailers in the UK, France, Italy and the Netherlands.

Table 1 shows Irish beef exports to markets in thousands of tonnes for the last five years.

The traditional export market for Irish lamb is France, which accounts for the majority of sheepmeat exports. Bord Bia organises regular campaigns to promote the consumption of Irish lamb, particularly on the French market where there is strong competition from the UK and New Zealand. Table 2 shows Irish sheepmeat exports in thousands of tonnes for the last five years.

For pigmeat the main export market is the UK but Irish pork and bacon is exported to a wide range of countries worldwide including all the key pigmeat importing countries. Due to reduced pig output in recent years less product has been available for export. Table 3 shows Irish pigmeat exports to markets in thousands of tonnes for the last five years.

Poultry meat exports consist primarily of processed poultry products, which often use imported meat as raw material, and cuts of domestically produced poultry for which there is little demand in this country. Table 4 shows Irish poultry meat exports, including processed poultry, for the last five years in thousands of tonnes.